Events

Time to Talk….

About Men’s Mental Health

Tuesday 10th June 2025

8am – 10:30am

Colchester Rugby Club (Raven Bar) C04 5YX

Ticket price: £5pp includes a hot breakfast bap and hot drink

Join us for our Time to Talk About Men’s Mental Health Event at Colchester Rugby Club to raise awareness of men’s mental health, with guest speakers, local support services, and resources for men’s mental wellbeing. This event is in collaboration with The Colte Partnership.

To book please visit www.mnessexmind.org/mens-health

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News

The OutHouse 45th Birthday Garden Party

Date and time: Saturday, June 14 · 12 – 8pm

Location: 74 High Street Colchester CO1 1UE

Join the OutHouse on Saturday, 14th June, for a joyous celebration of Pride Month as we mark the 45th birthday of The OutHouse, our wonderful charity supporting the LGBTQ+ community. The event will take place in the beautiful gardens of The Minories, a stunning venue that provides the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of fun, community, and celebration.

From 12 noon until 8pm, the gardens will be the heart of this special occasion.

This special day will honour The OutHouse’s incredible journey and the positive impact it has had over the last 45 years, all while celebrating the diversity and unity of the LGBTQ+ community.

Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration! It’s the perfect way to come together and enjoy a sunny day in the garden with friends, family, and allies. We look forward to seeing you there!

Secure your space HERE

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News

AgeWell Fair – Tuesday 10th June 2025

Join us at the AgeWell Fair for a fun and informative day filled with activities and resources to help you live your best life as you age!

  • Date: Tuesday 10th June 2025
  • Time: 10am – 2pm
  • Location: Causeway House: 34 Bocking End Braintree CM7 9RW

Braintree District Council is organising the AgeWell Fair, a free event on Tuesday, June 10th, from 10 am to 2 pm at Causeway House in Braintree. This initiative aims to simplify access to vital information and support for residents and their families seeking assistance. Over 30 organisations will be present, offering guidance on various topics, including housing support, health and wellbeing services, and other valuable community resources.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how to navigate the support system effectively and discover solutions tailored to their individual needs. Organisations attending include Carers First, Home Instead, and Essex Dementia Care.

While residents can simply turn up on the day, those who register in advance via the Braintree District Council website will receive a complimentary goody bag.

 

Come and meet partners:


A Place to Be You , Crossroads, Agewell East, Essex Police, Carers First, Home Instead, Healthwatch Essex, Fusion, Freshwell Low Carb Project, Essex Dementia Care, Braintree District Council Community Services, Braintree District Council Handy Man Service, Essex County Council Adult Social Care, Cunningtons Solicitors, Digi Go, Christchurch Pharmacy, Braintree Podiatry, Farleigh Hospice.

Welcome to the AgeWell Fair! Join us on Tuesday 10th June 2025 at Causeway House, Braintree for a day filled with fun activities and valuable information to help you live your best life as you age. From health and wealth advice to fitness and safety information, there’s something for everyone at this event.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to connect with local resources and learn how to stay healthy and active as you get older. Lets help everyone to AgeWell!

Register today and receive a FREE goodie bag!

Visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/agewell-fair-tickets-1311540184999 to reserve your spot!

 

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News

Compassionate Community Meetup – Friday 2nd May 2025

Join us at St Andrews Church, Greenstead, Colchester for a Compassionate Community Meetup

 

🫶        Compassionate Community Meetups are an opportunity to be part of a special network of people, places and projects who are coming together to support others during life’s most difficult moments.

🌞        We are starting with a cuppa at 10am with intro’s from the St Andrews team and Safe Harbour Project at St Helena, who will describe how they are supporting local communities and collaborating with community ambassadors.

👟        A group wellbeing walk & talk will start at 11am for those who wish to participate.

❤️     These really are fantastic events that bring communities together, as you can see from the pics below from our April Meetup

 

 

Find out more here: https://sthelena.org.uk/what-we-offer/compassionate-communities

Author: Emily Smith
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Categories: Events, News, Opportunities

Funding Bids: make it happen week

12-16 May 2025

Write and submit your bid with support, strategy & cheerleading

with Christina Poulton

If you wear all the hats and writing bids is one thing on your to-do list, it’s stressful. There’s no one to bounce ideas off, no one to answer your questions, and no one to cheer when you finally hit submit.

Hiring a bid writer is often out of budget, and besides, no one can tell the story of your work like you can!

That’s where the Funding Bids: Make It Happen Week comes in.

Sign up to get a focused week of action designed to help you plan, write, and submit a strong funding application, with support every step of the way

Find out more HERE.

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News, Opportunities, Training

Compassionate Businesses Network – Northeast Essex

When: Wednesday 23rd April: 8:30am – 10:30am

Location: Innovation Centre, Knowledge Gateway, University of Essex

After a sell-out at our launch event in Feb, the Compassionate Businesses Network is thrilled to invite you to this next space for inspiring leadership, purposeful networking, and community-driven ideas.

Join fellow forward-thinking professionals from across North East Essex to connect, collaborate and champion compassion in the workplace.

🌟 Why Attend?
✔️ Meet like-minded professionals
✔️ Get inspired by real-life compassionate leadership
✔️ Take away ideas that strengthen your people, purpose and performance
✔️ Help shape a growing local compassionate community

 What’s on the agenda?
08:30–09:00 – Power networking with brilliant local businesses
09:00–10:00 – Headline Speaker: Mark Millbourne, Headteacher, Prettygate Schools.

🔥 Mark will be describing how creating a nurturing school community culture has boosted outcomes – and how these lessons translate directly to compassionate business strategy.

10:00–10:30 – Community Asset Exchange – share, spark, support

 💡 Limited tickets available – CLICK HERE to book now and avoid disappointment!

Free parking and welcome refreshments are included!
All proceeds support the development of the network and your community.

Follow the Compassionate Businesses Network on LinkedIn

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News, Opportunities

Less than one week to respond to the UK Government’s consultation on the proposed formation of a Mayoral Combined County Authority for Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.

There is now less than one week remaining to respond to the UK Government’s consultation on the proposed formation of a Mayoral Combined County Authority for Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.
While the proposed devolution deal could bring significant benefits such as greater local control over funding and decision-making in areas like skills, transport, and business support it is important to note that the consultation also seeks views on future governance arrangements.
Voluntary sector colleagues are strongly encouraged to respond, even if they are broadly supportive of devolution overall. This is a key opportunity to help shape how governance will work in practice, and to ensure that any new arrangements meaningfully reflect and leverage the insights, experience, and community reach of the voluntary sector.
It is vital that the voice of the sector is heard in discussions about how representation is structured and how local knowledge can best inform decision-making within a future Mayoral Combined Authority.
Details of the consultation and how to respond can be found here:
The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Sunday 13 April 2025.

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Consultations, Events, News

Greater Essex devolution consultation

The UK government has launched the Greater Essex devolution consultation. The consultation seeks views on a proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority for the local government areas in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.

The consultation invites those who live and work across Greater Essex to share their views on:

  • the proposed geography
  • the effect of establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority in Greater Essex
  • how the Mayoral Combined County Authority will make decisions

Have your say on the UK government’s devolution consultation

The consultation opened on Monday 17 February and will run until Sunday 13 April 2025.

What is devolution?

Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from UK government to local authority level.  It is important because decisions are made closer to the local people, communities and businesses they affect.

Devolution would provide greater freedoms and flexibilities for councils to work more effectively to improve public services and outcomes for residents and businesses.

Watch our short video about Greater Essex Devolution.

What does devolution look like?

A devolution deal would create a new single body, known as a Strategic Authority, for Essex. It would initially take the form of a combined county authority.

These arrangements would be agreed prior to the first Mayoral election, which would take place in May 2026.

The key functions of the strategic authority would include strategic transport functions, such as support for buses, trains and concessionary fares, skills and driving economic growth.

What would devolution mean for us?

In Greater Essex, devolution could mean:

  • improved co-ordination of transport across the whole county to make it easier for people to commute and travel
  • better skills and training for adults, tailored to the jobs available locally because money is spent locally rather than by the UK government
  • better job opportunities
  • improved health and wellbeing
  • maximising the local natural environment and tackling climate change
  • a stronger voice for Essex with UK government – at the moment, the UK government finds it difficult to know how to talk to Essex as a place
  • more strategic control over planning and housing

You can read more about devolution in other areas

What is Greater Essex?

Greater Essex refers to the combined area represented by Essex County Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council, and Thurrock Council.

What is the Devolution Priority Programme?

The Devolution Priority Programme is for areas aiming to move towards devolution quickly. It is aimed at areas wishing to establish a Mayoral Combined County Authority.

The Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution has outlined that participants must have local agreement to progress around a sensible geographical area.

What is a Strategic Authority?

A Strategic Authority is a legal body set up using national legislation, with its own board and governance arrangements.

This would enable a group of two or more councils to collaborate and make collective decisions across council boundaries.

Depending on the form of devolution in an area, there are three levels of Strategic Authority available:

  • Foundation Strategic Authority: Available to those areas without an elected Mayor. It will have limited devolution. For example, the current Lancashire devolution deal will establish a Foundation Strategic Authority.
  • Mayoral Combined County Authority:  For those with an elected Mayor, a range of powers will be devolved. For example, the West of England is a Mayoral Combined County Authority.
  • Established Mayoral Strategic Authority: For those Mayoral Strategic Authorities, who are able to satisfy a number of additional governance requirements. They will have access to the most devolution. Greater Manchester and the West Midlands are already at this stage.

The UK government is looking to create a Mayoral Combined County Authority for Greater Essex by May 2026.

What is a Mayoral Combined Authority?

A Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) is a local government body that enables two or more county councils and unitary councils to work together and make decisions on issues which affect the whole county. The MCCA would have a directly elected Mayor, who chairs the combined authority.

What would the Mayor do?

The UK government’s intention is for devolution to be accompanied by a directly elected Mayor. If this happens in Essex, we expect the Mayor would ultimately take on the current role of Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.

What powers would the elected Mayor have?

The Mayor would be directly elected by the people of Essex. The elected Mayor would have the ability to speak directly to government ministers and secure funding for local projects. They would also be able to make strategic decisions, help attract investment and improve infrastructure.

What is the role of a directly elected Mayor in a Mayoral Combined County Authority compared to a local council Mayor?

The main difference lies in their scope of responsibilities and the level of governance they would oversee.

A directly elected Mayor in a Mayoral Combined County Authority has a broader role that typically covers multiple local councils within a Combined or Strategic Authority. The directly elected Mayor would have significant powers over strategic functions such as:

  • economic development
  • housing
  • infrastructure
  • transport

For example, in Essex the elected Mayor would also serve as the Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner. The Mayor would make strategic decisions, help attract investment and improve infrastructure.

On the other hand, a Mayor for a local council is responsible for the governance of a single local authority. The mayor’s powers are more focused on the day-to-day administration and local services within that specific council area. They work closely with the council to implement policies and manage local services such as:

  • community services
  • local planning
  • waste collection

The key difference is that a Mayor in a Mayoral Combined County Authority has a wider, more strategic role that spans multiple councils. Local council Mayors focus on the governance and services within a single local authority.

What is the role of Mayors compared to council leaders?

The UK government believes that within Strategic Authorities, Mayors should have a unique role to focus on devolved responsibilities. Council leaders are expected to lead their areas and deliver essential services.

What is a Combined Authority?

A combined authority is a legal body set up using national legislation that enables a group of two or more councils to collaborate and take collective decisions across council boundaries. It is expected that Combined Authorities will be replaced by Strategic Authorities.

Read more about Combined Authorities in the LGA’s publication.

When can we expect this to take place?

Now we have received confirmation that we are on the Priority Programme, the UK government is looking to create a Mayoral Combined County Authority for Greater Essex by May 2026. Mayoral elections would take place in that month.

Does devolution mean the county council elections in May 2025 will be postponed?

The UK government’s consultation will run from Monday 17 February until Sunday 13 April 2025. The postponement would be for an initial period of a year, but if proposals to reorganise local authorities are agreed, it is likely that there would be no further elections to ECC until its abolition, other than by-elections.

Do residents have a say in this?

The UK government’s consultation will run from Monday 17 February until Sunday 13 April 2025. This will be supported by local activity in Essex to reinforce messages with local audiences including residents and businesses.

Where can I find out more?

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Consultations, Events, News, Opportunities

The Rotary Baddow Races – Volunteer Course marshals needed (18th May 2025)

For the last 40 years home to the Baddow Races has been the Millenium Centre at Great Baddow.

Sunday 18th May with a start time of 10am for the 10 Mile race, and shortly afterwards for the 2 mile fun run.

We are licensed by UK Athletics under licence 2024-46952 and registered with BARR the British Association of Road Runners. Our course has been measured and certified by UK Association of Course Measurers under course number 18/190.

This event takes a huge amount of effort to organise and we are always looking for willing hands to help us deliver a first-class day not only for runners but for the community of Chelmsford.

We raise thousands of pounds for our local charities and aim to provide a fun day out for all the family as well as the runners.

🚨 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! 🚨

The Baddow Races take place on Sunday, 18 May 2025 and we need course marshals to help make this incredible charity event happen!

📍 Great Baddow Recreation Ground
8:30 AM briefing – finish by 12:00 noon
🦺 Hi-vis & bottled water provided
🚐 Transport to marshal points available

This long-running event supports The Children’s Society (East), Farleigh Hospice, and other local charities. But we can’t do it without YOU!

Volunteering is easy, fun, and a great way to give back. Grab some friends, support your community, and be part of the action!

💌 Interested? Email marshals.baddowraces@gmail.com or call Stephen King on 07850 344015 📞

Author: Emily Smith
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Categories: Events, News, Opportunities